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With the unpredictability of Michigan weather, it’s important to always be prepared for the worst when you hit the road in your vehicle. Our colder seasons can be treacherous, so as part of your fall car care maintenance, we suggest that you create your own vehicle emergency kit to keep in your car at all times. You never know when an emergency situation could arise, and it’s better to be safe than sorry! There are some essential supplies you’ll want to have in your emergency auto kit year-round, and then there are also some additional items you will want to have specifically in cold weather situations. Continue reading to find out what we recommend you include in your emergency vehicle kit for Fall Car Care at Graff Chevrolet Durand.

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Emergency Vehicle Kit Essentials

Below we’ve outlined a few important items to have in your vehicle all year round in case of an emergency –

Jumper Cables – Jumper cables are used to connect a dead battery to a charged battery in order to restart a car that has died. Sometimes this happens when you forget to turn your lights off, or if you have an old battery. To avoid being stranded with a dead battery, you should always have a pair of jumper cables in your car. Plus, you never know when you may need to help jumpstart someone else’s vehicle.

A Flashlight – In situations where you can’t rely on your vehicle’s exterior or interior lights, you’ll want to have a flashlight in your emergency auto kit. If it’s dark out, a flashlight will allow you to look for important items in your car, or to look under the hood of your car if necessary. It will also keep you safe if you have to walk away from your vehicle, as it can notify other drivers where you are.

Emergency Signals or Flares – These emergency kit items are crucial to your safety if your vehicle’s flashers aren’t working, or if your vehicle breaks down in an inconvenient location. Flares will signal to drivers and emergency personnel to slow down and steer clear of your vehicle. They can also help to identify your location to others in bad weather conditions that make it difficult to see.

Emergency Money – If your car runs out of gas or you need to have your vehicle towed, you will want to have cash stored in your emergency kit. It’s important though to store it somewhere out of sight in order to deter theft.

First Aid Kit – First aid kits are handy to have in your vehicle all the time, but they could turn out to be crucial in the case of an emergency as well.

Cell Phone Charger – It’s a good idea to have a car charger for your phone stored in your vehicle in the case of an emergency. Being unable to communicate with your insurance agent or emergency personnel due to a dead phone battery can make a bad situation worse.

Water – In the case of an emergency, water can not only be used for drinking, but for cleaning purposes as well. As the weather gets colder, you may not want to leave water in your emergency car kit as it could freeze, however try to remember to bring some with you every time you hit the road.

Snacks – This may seem unimportant, but if you find yourself in an emergency situation, or if you get stuck in traffic for an extended period of time, the boost in blood sugar can make all the difference in your mood and ability to handle the situation.

Cold Weather Emergency Supplies for Your Vehicle

These emergency vehicle supplies will come in handy should you find yourself stranded during cold weather. Fall weather in Michigan can often times end up being more similar to winter weather, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for anything.

Tow Ropes – Unfortunately with Michigan weather, it’s not uncommon to find yourself stuck in a snowy ditch when an unexpected snowstorm hits. Even if your car isn’t capable of towing another vehicle, it’s good to have tow ropes on hand in case you or someone else may need them.

A Shovel – It’s not unlikely in Michigan to have to dig yourself out of a snow filled parking spot, so it’s a good idea to keep a shovel in your emergency vehicle kit when you’re preparing for your fall car care this season. It could also come in handy in an emergency or if you become stuck on the side of the road.

Sand – Sand, kitty litter, or salt will give you traction in a slippery situation, which is why it’s a good idea to keep one of the above in your fall car care emergency kit.

Warm Clothing – There many situations where having extra warm clothing stored in your vehicle will come in handy. If you get stuck in a rain or snowstorm, your socks and shoes may become wet and cold, and having an extra pair on hand can make all the difference. Keep some extra socks and a pair of boots in your emergency kit. Plus, should you ever need to walk to get help in the case of an emergency, having warm clothing like gloves, scarves, hats, and coats in your fall car care emergency kit will keep you safe and comfortable.

Blanket – While you ideally will never have to sleep in your car, having a blanket with you can come in handy in many situations, particularly during cold Michigan weather. It’s better to be over prepared than underprepared.

We hope you never have to use an emergency car kit, but hopefully our tips will help you be prepared in the case of an emergency! To help you further, we would love to see you in our service center! Schedule an appointment online to make sure your car is up to date on all of its seasonal maintenance and routine maintenance. If there are any problems we can help you with, give us a call at (866) 529-1655 and one our ASE Certified service professionals would love to answer your questions about any issues your car, truck, or SUV may be having. You can also stop by the dealership anytime! We are located at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, Michigan! We proudly serve our surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesee Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and Corunna!